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Bath ‘Water Space’ Project wins at RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence

05 May 2017

The Water Space Project, which is aiming to improve and encourage development along waterways across the Bath area, has won the top award at this year’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Regional Awards for Planning Excellence. The RTPI South West represents more than 1,500 professional planners across the region.

The Water Space Project has established the data and information required to develop an evidence based plan for investment to revitalise the river and canals across Bath. It covers 16 miles of waterway along the River Avon and Kennet and Avon Canal from Dundas through to Bath and Hanham. The research has focused on 5 key themes:

assets (land ownership);

moorings/boating;

environmental issues;

regeneration/development opportunities and leisure

recreation and leisure

The Water Space Project is a partnership between Bath and N.E. Somerset Council, the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency and Wessex Water. Major initiatives were undertaken to consult stakeholders, including the boating community moored on the canal.

The RTPI South West Chair, David Lowin comments “The Water Space Project is an excellent example of partnership working to realise the potential for future investment along these waterways whilst balancing economic and environmental issues. An impressive feature is the extensive consultation undertaken, in particular with the boating community. This study, and its evidence base, will be a significant factor in the establishment of future planning policies and the determination of planning applications in and around the city of Bath”.

Category winners:

Excellence in Spatial Planning

Water Space Project (Bath) submitted by Bath and N.E. Somerset Council

Excellence in Planning Delivery

Joint Winners:

Old Railway Quarter (Swindon) submitted by Swindon Borough Council and Thomas Homes

The RTPI South West Awards identify and highlight examples of planning excellence in the South West. The awards promote good practice across the wide range of activities in which professional planners are involved. The standard of submissions for the 2017 Awards was the highest in the 25 years of the RTPI South West Awards.